“You therefore, beloved, since you know these things beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked, but grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:17-18 NKJV)
Each of the Spirit-inspired New Testament epistles (letters) has its own closing words. Some offer a brief summary of the theme, some farewell greetings, and still others close with a benediction or divine call to faith and faithfulness. Peter’s closing words are no exception.
Thank you, Lord, for the things we “know beforehand” from Peter’s epistles—that we are simply earthly exiles awaiting Christ’s promised and certain return, that we are called to God-glorifying lives which include suffering and persecution, that any seeming delay in Christ’s return is out of love for souls, and that our wonderful eternal future will be spent with the Lord in the “new heaven and new earth, the home of righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:13 NIV84) These precious truths form the foundation for the Spirit’s three-pronged closing divine counsel:
1. “Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” God created all living things to grow—plants, animals, and humans. This growth occurs with the intake of life-giving and life-sustaining nutrients. God’s grace in Christ is our spiritual lifeline. Growth in that grace coincides with the faith-intake of Spirit-provided nutrients: the Gospel in Word and Sacrament. Both publicly and privately, at every age and life stage, faithful use of these “means of grace” remain vital to the growth and survival of our faith.
2. Beware, lest you be “led away with the error of the wicked.” An essential and blessed by-product of spiritual growth is an enhanced recognition of and resistance to error and its dangerous consequences. Knowing the evil that surrounds us and the sin and spiritual vulnerability within us, how vital it is that we steadfastly use the Word to build up and fortify our spiritual immune system against the attacks of the Evil One!
3. “To Him be the glory now and forever!” How important to be reminded, as Scripture does often, that our ongoing and ultimate life purpose is to glorify God in all things. And a recurring theme in Peter’s epistles (1 Peter 4:11 and 5:11) is God’s grace and glory. Peter’s final words link both. The ultimate purpose of God’s grace is His greatest of all glories in redeeming sinners, who then respond in time and eternity by giving to God alone all praise and honor and glory. Glory be to God for Peter’s epistles of comfort, encouragement and hope!
God of grace and God of glory, On Thy people pour Thy power; Crown Thine ancient church's story, Bring her bud to glorious flower. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage For the facing of this hour. Lo! The hosts of evil surround us, Scorn thy Christ, assail His ways! Fears and doubts too long have bound us, Free our hearts to faith and praise. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, For the living of these days. (WS 764)
Thank you, Lord, for the things we “know beforehand” from Peter’s epistles.
is a retired pastor and a member of the CLC Board of Doctrine. He lives in St. Paul Park, Minnesota.